I was 18 years old. Every Sunday morning, my dad and I would sit in my parents’ car. Me on the driver’s seat. My dad next to me. And he would teach me how to drive.

Together, we practiced all morning: driving up a hill, parking your car in a street, driving straight backwards. Driving, quoi.

And although the driving in itself was a huge stress factor — because as a total beginner, it seemed insane that I needed to combine all these steps and little actions in order to survive. It was nerve-wrecking to drive around in traffic, aware of the fact I didn’t fully know what I was doing.

Despite the tension, my memories of these Sunday mornings make me smile. I shared these moments exclusively with my dad. He was the calm and reliable factor in the car. And we had quite some fun — especially when practicing ‘driving up a hill’ or when forgetting to press the accelerator pedal in the middle of a busy intersection and the car abruptly stops.

Around noon, I drove the car home safely — thanks to my dad who had to twist the steering wheel now and then, in order not to hit parked cars on the right side of the road — and with the rest of the family we enjoyed French fries and steak. The proper Sunday noon stuff.

It feels odd that driving was such a big deal. Since nowadays, all these ‘impossible’ actions and steps are performed completely subconsciously & automatic.

Which is a perfect metaphor for almost anything you’re new at. By doing it, by practicing a lot, by driving around in busy traffic, aware of the fact you don’t fully know what you’re doing, you learn and you grow.

When growing, at first you’re totally out of your comfort zone. You stretch from your comfort zone, to the fear, to the learning, to your growth zone (check this interesting infographic).

Which means: you can actually stretch your comfort zone by learning new stuff, practicing new skills, seeing opportunities. When you feel old fear fade away and you are getting better. That’s the point where you know: I have grown!

Growth is something magic. It makes sure you’re never bored.
But be patient with yourself & keep in mind that it’s going in stages.

Stage 0 | Unconsciously unskilled | In the first stage, you’re not even aware of not knowing a certain skill.

Stage 1 | Consciously unskilled | After an Aha-moment, you ARE aware you don’t know it. For most people, this is quite a frustrating period, yet also motivating - ooh, I want to be able to do that. Be patient and determined. It takes time and practice.

Stage 2 | Consciously skilled | Next stage, you know how to perform the skill, but you still think while you’re at it. Think of the 18 year-old me trying to handle driving my parents’ car. Again: time and practice (and French fries).

Stage 3 | Unconsciously skilled | After a while, you’re a natural at it. You perform the skill without a second thought. At this stage, you can make a mark.

Stage 4 | Unconsciously excellent | This stage we don’t have to reach, but some of us do, for some skills. And that is the stage of mastery. E.g. If I would’ve become a Formula 1 pilot. Wooha.

The reason why GROW is the keyword for I support creatives is exactly this: I thrive on the magic that happens when people climb these stages. To see them longing for something different, to define goals together, actions and pitfalls, to give them tactics to overcome the obstacles and to see them reach the next stages and become natural.

Growing. It’s not always easy. But it keeps making your life — and your life as a creative professional — sparkly and interesting. I love it. Do you?